Heated Airer vs Tumble Dryer: Which Costs Less to Run?

Every figure below uses the price cap rate of 26.32p per kWh for 1 October to 31 December 2026. Your own rate is on your bill. Costs don't include the daily standing charge, because you pay that whether you dry clothes or not.

At three loads a week (156 loads a year) at today's rate: a 300W heated airer costs about £74, a 220W compact airer about £54 and a 1000W drying pod about £123. An A++ heat pump dryer costs about £80, a condenser dryer about £194 and a vented dryer about £199.

So swapping a condenser dryer for a 300W airer saves about £120 a year at three loads a week. Swapping an A++ heat pump dryer for the same airer saves only about £6.

Beko's own yearly figures, based on 160 cycles of mixed full and half loads, tell the same story: about £47 a year for the A+++ heat pump, £62 for the A++ heat pump, £148 for the condenser and £152 for the vented dryer.

Moisture. A tumble dryer either vents the water outside or collects it in a tank. A heated airer puts almost all of it into the air in your home, which can mean condensation on cold windows and walls. Running a 187W dehumidifier (like the Pro Breeze 12L) alongside for 6 hours adds about 30p. That takes a 300W airer to about 77p a load: still well below a condenser dryer, but more than an A++ heat pump dryer. See best dehumidifier for drying clothes UK, and read why it matters in indoor laundry without the condensation tax.

Heat. In winter, the heat from an airer stays in your home and slightly warms the room. A vented dryer pushes warm, damp air outside.

Time. A heated tower takes 4 to 8 hours. On Beko's figures, a full cotton load takes about 2 hours 15 minutes in the condenser dryer, 2 hours 35 minutes in the vented dryer and about 3 hours in the heat pump dryers. We've assumed about 3 hours for a drying pod, but check your model's manual.

Space and upfront cost. An airer needs floor space while it runs but folds flat, and it costs much less to buy than a tumble dryer. A dryer needs a permanent spot, and a vented one needs a hose to the outside.

You have a vented or condenser dryer. Use a heated airer for everyday loads and keep the dryer for towels, bedding or a rush. Each load you move to a 300W airer saves about 77p.

You have a heat pump dryer. The running cost is close to an airer's, and the dryer keeps the water out of the room. Use whichever suits the day.

You have no dryer and a small flat. A compact airer is the cheapest option. Open a window or run a dehumidifier while it works, and see the heated airer for a small flat picks.

You want speed without a dryer. A 1000W drying pod is quicker than rails, but at about 79p a load it only beats condenser and vented dryers, not a heat pump dryer.

Compare towers, winged airers and pods in our best heated clothes airers UK guide.

Cost is energy (kWh) multiplied by the unit rate. For airers and the dehumidifier, energy is the listed wattage divided by 1,000, multiplied by the hours they run. For dryers we used the maker's energy figure per load, because a dryer's power changes through the cycle.

The rate is the Ofgem energy price cap average Direct Debit electricity unit rate for England, Scotland and Wales, 26.32p per kWh for 1 October to 31 December 2026, checked on ofgem.gov.uk on 7 October 2026. Ofgem notes there's no VAT on electricity from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. Dryer figures come from Beko's UK product pages for its 8kg A+++ and A++ heat pump, B condenser and C vented models. Airer wattages come from the listings in our heated airer guides.

Want to change the hours, wattage or rate? Use the appliance running cost calculator. For heaters and electric blankets, use the heater running cost calculator.